expressions of life and rememberance

Jhoana’s Ofrenda

Jhoana
Born 1996Juan
Mixed media

On September 11, 2001, my grandfather Juan passed away. I remember that day so clearly. He would remove his oxygen mask telling my mom, “It’s okay, it’s my time to go.” I don’t understand why I wasn’t able to cry, maybe because I was only 5. My mom tells me he always looked serious and mean, but when I was around he would have a smile. My grandpa didn’t like to argue with people, but he always was straightforward and honest. My grandpa didn’t go to school. He started working really young. He was a locksmith. He was a hard working man. I don’t remember my grandpa very well, but he’s still an important person in my life and very special in my heart. I only included one picture of him, the rest are in Mexico. I painted my ofrenda red because that was my grandpa’s favorite color and white because he was a peaceful person. I included food because he loved to eat. The key represents his job and the cross represents our religion. I am making this ofrenda for him out of respect and to honor the memory I have of him.